AP Male Athlete of the Year 2011

Things to Do

Aaron Rodgers is the 2011 Male Athlete of the Year chosen by members of The Associated Press.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander won the AL MVP Award and Cy Young Award. He threw his second career no-hitter on May 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Quarterback Cam Newton began 2011 by leading Auburn to its second national championship. The College Park native was No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. He has 17 passing touchdowns through 14 games. He set the NFL rushing touchdown record for quarterbacks on Dec. 4 with his 13th score.

And the winner: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was selected as the AP Male Athlete of the Year after his MVP performance in the Super Bowl victory in February and for his stellar play during the team's long unbeaten run this season.

Tennis standout Novak Djokovic won three Grand Slam tournaments -- Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open -- and was a semifinalist in the French Open. He finished the season ranked No. 1 with a 70-6 record. Djokovic won $12 million, an ATP World Tour record.

Associated Press voters have chosen their Male Athlete of the Year from a list of worthy contenders. The runners-up: Tony Stewart narrowly won his third Sprint Cup series championship over Carl Edwards, with the title being decided by tiebreakers. Stewart's five victories topped Edwards' one.

1/5

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander won the AL MVP Award and Cy Young Award. He threw his second career no-hitter on May 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: Office space renderings in Atlanta's 5th tallest tower

Milton girls lacrosse aims to capture 19th state title in 21 years

PHOTOS: Milton girls lacrosse trying for another state championship

PHOTOS: U.S. Rep. David Scott remembered for faith, service

PHOTOS: Rep. David Scott lies in state in Atlanta Capitol

More Galleries

Public Enemy's Flava Flav (left) and Chuck D perform Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at the Shaky Knees Music Festival at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC)

Photos: My Chemical Romance, Public Enemy perform: 10 highlights from Shaky Knees Day 2

Joey Valence & Brae kicked off the early evening with a high energy set on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC)

Photos: Lenny Kravitz, Deftones perform: 7 highlights from Shaky Knees Day 1

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

Alerts